TV Broadcast from Earth Satellite

This paper considers the need for and the feasibility of direct continental TV broadcast to conventional home receivers from an orbiting stationary satellite. Among the factors considered are time and language differences of the potential audience, the lack of suitable programming material, and frequency allocation problems. Required transmitter and primary power have been calculated for several coverage situations on both a VHF and a UHF channel. These powers are significantly above previous estimates published elsewhere, and above the power capability of even the proposed SNAP 8, 60-kw nuclear reactor except for coverage of limited areas on the ground.